His surgical simulation company
eoSurgical, which he co-founded with Paul Brennan, a neurosurgeon, was
launched in August after 18 months of trying out different materials
designed to feel like human skin and organs.

Paul, 34, says: ‘There were simulators before but they are very expensive at around £40,000 and trainees have limited access.’

The company’s two products – a
keyhole surgery simulator and another for stitching and knot-tying –
cost £499 each and can be used with any computer. They have been sold in
Australia, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands and the US.

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Paul says: ‘Day-to-day we make a
profit on every product we sell and, based on sales since August, we
will break even by the end of 2013. We don’t have any debts.’

Roland and Paul put £40,000 of their
own money into the business and raised a further £30,000, including
£20,000 from the University of Edinburgh, where they are both studying
for PhDs.

The firm is expecting a boost this
year when new rules come into force to prevent surgeons from operating
unless they have practised on a simulator.

Paul says: ‘We are working with a
company in Edinburgh on software that will give feedback, so students
can use the simulator to be objectively assessed and can compare their
performance with each other.

‘There is a big step-change for
keyhole surgery on the horizon with new technology meaning one hole will
be used instead of three. Even very senior surgeons will need to
practise.’